“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24-26a (NLT)
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There’s an awesome story in 1 Kings 19 about a guy named Elijah. He was a prophet and God was using him mightily. But as Elijah got older, God directed him to find a younger man to mentor.
So one day Elijah walks by and sees a young man named Elisha and God tells him that this is the young man He has called to serve alongside Elijah. Now, Elisha was out plowing in the field with a team of oxen when head coach Elijah appoints and anoints him to move on up to varsity and become his star player. He was asking Elisha to leave his family and come be his disciple. He was asking him to go “all in.”
So when Elisha got the call-up to the big leagues, to step out in faith and follow God’s plan for his life, he had to make a big decision. Elisha was ready to commit, but he also knew quitting would be easier if he gave himself the option. So what did he do? He slaughtered the oxen and burned his plow — he had a big party for the neighbors and his family. He wasn’t going back. He made a commitment. His focus was looking forward and not back.
When we truly go “all in” with Jesus, our identity and our mission changes. Just like Elisha, our identity is that we are a loved child of God and we have been called on purpose and for a purpose for Kingdom impact.
When our identity is in Christ, we build on a solid foundation. Unlike sports, jobs, money, appearances or people, God is permanent, unchanging, trustworthy and loving. Being a child of God is eternal and doesn’t change at the end of a season or career. We are now focused on pursing eternal rewards instead of temporary things.
The mission is the same: Share the love of Jesus with a hurting and dying world. We can walk in this freedom because who we are is no longer attached to what we do. We can burn the plow and go all in. We can live for more. Are you ready to fully commit today to the things God is calling you to do? Commit to pursue things of eternal significance instead of trophies that will fade away. Run with purpose in every step.
— Melissa Motes
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